Introduction

Group 5 was assigned the task of disassembling, analyzing, and reassembling the Nerf-N-Strike Longstrike CS-6. For the first phase of this project, the design team created a detailed plan on how to successfully complete the task of disassembly and reassembly of the Nerf gun. An overview was made of how the group planned to reverse engineer the product over the course of the next twelve weeks, clearly describing the tools necessary to disassemble and assemble the gun, the challenges the group expects to face, as well as the capabilities of the group and shortcomings that members may have. A management proposal was also made giving a detailed timeline of when each gate is due and potential meetings between group members between each due date. An initial assessment of the product was then made without dissecting the gun, familiarizing the Group 5 with the gun and gathering information to successfully complete the product dissection.

Project Management: Request for Proposal

Work Proposal

The purpose of this work proposal is to give an overview of how Group 5 plans to reverse engineer the Nerf Longstrike CS-6. Below is a detailed proposition of how the product will be disassembled and then reassembled, listing the tools that will be necessary to accomplish this task as well as what documentation must be used. Expected challenges are also addressed, as well as the projected capabilities and shortcomings of each member of the group.

Reverse Engineering Product

The purpose of this project is to effectively disassemble, reassemble, and analyze the Nerf Longstrike CS-6. In order to accomplish this, a detailed procedure has been made to ensure that the project is finished on time.

Disassembly of the Product

Tools Needed:

1/4 inch Phillips head screwdriver

Used to unscrew the screws connecting the plastic covering of the blaster.

1/8 inch Phillips head screwdriver

Used to unscrew smaller screws found on the flip-up sight and the quick-reload clip.

Tweezers

Used to disassemble the smaller subsystems assumed to be found inside the body of the Longstrike.

Documentation:

Camera: A camera will be used to capture a picture of every step in the disassembly process. For every component and subcomponent of the product detached, a photograph will be taken. Having a visual step by step procedure will allow for the assembly of the product to be easier and more efficient.

Video Camera: A video will also be taken of the disassembly process to provide a logical order as to when each component was dismembered. Again, this will assist Group 5 in reassembling the Nerf Longstrike CS-6.

Hard Copy Recording: An official notebook will be used to record the entire disassembly process. Brian Krajewski, the official recorder, will observe the dismemberment of the product and create a numerical step by step account of each piece detached from the gun.

Procedure

The disassembly procedure has been broken up into three basic steps. From the initial inspection of the product, the dismemberment of the gun does not appear to be very complex. The proper documentation will be used to complete each step.

Safety Requirements: The entire dissection of the product will take place in the Product Dissection Lab, located in 621 Furnas Hall. While in the lab Group 5 will abide by the safety practices and wear safety glasses at all times. The work area will be left clean and neat at all times and be left in the original state it was found in.

Original Component Disassembly: Upon receiving the Nerf Longstrike CS-6, the gun consisted of six different components so that the gun could be efficiently shipped to consumers. Group 5 assembled these components so that the normal usage of the product could be achieved. At the start of this disassembly process all six components are attached. These components must then be disassembled. This will require no tools because the gun was designed for easy assembly and dismemberment for children ages six and up.

Subsystem Disassembly: Each of the six components must now be dissected into the subsystems. The 1/4 inch Phillips Head Screwdriver and the 1/8 inch Phillips Head Screwdriver must be used to unscrew all the screws found on the product.

Flip-Up Sight:

1/8 inch Phillips Head Screwdriver must be used to unscrew six screws.

Barrel Extension:

1/4 inch Phillips Head Screwdriver must be used to unscrew ten screws.

Quick-Reload Clip:

1/4 inch Phillips Head Screwdriver must be used to unscrew four screws.

Nerf Bullet: Cannot be disassembled any further.

Shoulder Stock:

1/4 inch Phillips Head Screwdriver needed to unscrew six screws and 1/8 inch Phillips Head Screwdriver needed to unscrew two screws.

Main Base:

1/4 inch Phillips Screwdriver needed to unscrew fourteen screws.

It is assumed that underneath the outer layer of the base, there will be more complex subsystems to disassemble. Group 5 assumes there will be an air power mechanism that must be analyzed and recorded.

Note: The dissection procedure described is only based on the information collected from the original inspection of the gun. No premature disassembly took place. The Nerf Longstrike was only used as it was intended; a toy gun with foam bullets to shoot objects. This procedure may change once the disassembly procedure is begun on the gun. It is estimated that it will take one hour to disassemble the product, including the amount of time necessary to properly record each step of the procedure. However, this time may change when the procedure is performed due to complications that may arise.

Capabilities of Group 5

Each member of the group brings a unique set of skills and background knowledge to this project. Between each member strengths and weaknesses, the project can be completed successfully and efficiently. The following table illustrates each individual’s strengths and weaknesses, demonstrating what skills will be brought to the group, and what capabilities will enhance the effectiveness of the group.

Sarah Selk

Strengths:

Experience in leadership and project management

Proficient in Microsoft Office, CAD, MatLab, and C++

Strong presentation skills

Organized/ strong attention to detail

Works well in groups

Weaknesses:

Can become too focused on the details

Does everything at the last minute

Broken arm allows for limited movement (which will be needed in dissection lab)

Technical documentation is unfamiliar (but will learn from future lectures)

Unfamiliar with wiki

Brianna Stewart

Strengths:

Background with working with tools and machinery

Experience in leadership

Organized

Proficient in Microsoft Office, CAD, C++, and MatLab

Works well in groups

Weaknesses:

Unfamiliar with drafting/modeling software (but will research and become acquainted with concepts)

Presentation skills are not up to par

Unfamiliar with Wiki

Technical documentation is unfamiliar (but will learn from future lectures)

Brian Heffernan

Strengths:

Background experience with working with tools and machinery (took woodshop and technical classes in high school)

Strong presentation skills and working well with others

Possesses prior knowledge of the use of Nerf guns from childhood

Proficient in Microsoft Office, CAD, C++, and MatLab

Works well in groups

Weaknesses:

Lack of attention to detail and requirements

Unfamiliar with wiki and technical documentation

Procrastination

Brian Krajewski

Strengths:

Proficient in Microsoft Office, CAD, C++, and MatLab

Possesses prior knowledge of the use of Nerf guns from childhood

Thorough researcher

Background experience with working with tools and machinery (took woodshop and technical classes in high school)

Works well in groups

Weaknesses:

Procrastination

Lack of attention to detail and requirements

Unfamiliar with wiki and technical documentation

Note: Although each member of the group has different weaknesses; through planning and time management, Group 5 plans on improving the weaknesses described. By attending every lecture and learning from the information provided, each member of the group can learn how to write technical documents. Also, after research and practice, Group 5 plans on learning how to make wiki documents. By creating a timeline and following this timeline, procrastination and last minute cramming can be avoided and Group 5 can complete each gate by the designated due date.

Challenges

Upon initial inspection of the product, each component appears to be capable of easy disassembly. One challenge that has been identified is the potential of breaking the product during the disassembly process. The Nerf Longstrike CS-6 is made of plastic, which can be easily broken under the right amount of pressure. Careful precautions must be made to ensure that the gun remains unharmed throughout the procedure. However the product is not the only thing that may bring challenges to this product. Group challenges may also arise. Group members must efficiently with one another and perform at the level expected by other members. The group must also ensure that it does not leave the entirety of each gate to the last minute and work on the project throughout the time given. Staying on task at each meeting is necessary in order to complete a successful project.

Management Proposal

One of the most important things about working in a group is managing the work that needs to be done as well as making sure it is completed, correctly, in an appropriate amount of time. The design team has made a plan in order to ensure this type of outcome for their Nerf N-Strike Longstrike CS-6 project. The team plans to evenly split up all the work that needs to done on each gate as well as make sure that each team members’ strengths are shown and their weaknesses are improved upon by learning from other design team members. The design team has outlined the roles each member contributes, the timeline for the project, and the steps of actions that must take place if conflict occurs in order to fully accomplish their goals in the project.

Team Roles and Responsibilities

The team provided each team member with a designated role and responsibilities for the entire project. This will ensure that the Nerf N-Strike Longstrike CS-6 project is done to the best of the group’s abilities as a whole. Each member has the following roles and responsibilities:

Project Manager [Sarah Selk]: As this role, she has the responsibility to make sure that every team member gets a fair and equal amount of work to complete. She also has to set up any extra meetings and double check each week that everyone can make the appointed meetings previously announced. Sarah has to double check everyone’s work as well as her own to make sure that everything is completed and all tasks are at the very least are completed. She also has to upload all the information to the wiki page and ensure that everything is always in the most professional manner. She must ensure that the group is always on track or ahead of schedule.

Director of Communication [Brianna Stewart]: For this role, Brianna acts as the point of contact with both professors. She has the responsibility to make sure everyone knows what they are doing and when meetings are. She also must be kept aware of any group conflicts, especially ones that need to be dealt with. Brianna must also record when and where meetings occur as well as the decisions made at the meetings. Lastly, she has to double check that all tasks involving this information corresponds correctly with her data. She is in charge of communication in and out of the design team. Her contact information is brstewar@buffalo.edu.

Technician [Brian Heffernan]: As the design team’s technician, Brian is responsible for making sure everyone is behaving properly in the lab, following all rules, and that the group is in good standing with the teaching assistance at the lab. He also has to make sure that all equipment is properly used, that it is returned to its proper place when leaving, and that all parts of the Nerf N-Strike Longstrike CS-6 are always accounted for. Lastly, Brian is mainly in charge of the physical dissection of the Nerf N-Strike Longstrike CS-6 and he has to double check that the technical aspects of lab reports correspond with what he did as well as used in the lab.

Engineer [Bryan Krajewski]: This job, as the team’s engineer, involves documenting everything that goes on during the lab, especially observations from other members as well as his own. Bryan has to ensure that the team members all have access to his notes and that they contain as much information as possible. He also is responsible for the main analysis and research parts of the project. He has to make sure that anything researched is cited and that all of the analyses make sense as well as correspond with his notes taken during the lab.

Timeline

The design team also made a timeline of when and where they would meet each week as well a brief description about that meeting. This was done to ensure an effective and efficient way for the team to manage its time as well as ensure correct completion of the tasks. The outline for the following months is as follows [though it has the potential to be changed if necessary]:

10/8 Gate 1 is due by 5pm

10/11 Meet at 6:00 pm in Capen: From here the entire design team will go to the lab to dissect the Nerf N-Strike Longstrike CS-6. The steps taken, information relating to the process, and observations will be recorded. Photos as well as videos will be taken.

10/18 Meet at 3:30 pm in Capen: Here, the team will finalize the steps taken the previous week and further discuss the subsystems as well as the analysis. Each design team member will then have a part of the gate to formally write-up for the next meeting.

10/25 Meet at 5:30 pm in Capen: First the project manager will combine the entire gate and present it on their wiki page in a professional manner. From here, each team member will take his/her turn to review the entire gate, especially their specific area to double check, as well as make any necessary changes. Then the team will all go over to the dissecting lab where they will begin to work on gate three. They will complete the component list and product analysis. Before the team finishes, the remaining write-ups will be broken up among the members.

10/26 Gate 2 is due by 5pm

11/08 Meet at 3:30 pm in Capen: This will be a brief meeting where any questions on the gate can be asked and progress from the previous week should be noted/seen.

11/15 Meet at 5:30 pm in Capen: Once again, the project manager will first combine and finish the gate as well as publish it to the wiki page. All design team members will then review as well as edit the gate, paying close attention to the area their roles prescribed them to double check. From here, the entire team will then go to the dissecting lab where they will reassemble the Nerf N-Strike Longstrike CS-6. The steps taken, information relating to the reassembly, and observations will be recorded. Photos as well as videos will be taken where appropriate. The remaining write-ups will then be divided.

11/16 Gate 3 is due by 5pm

11/19 Meet at 5:00 pm in Capen: This will be a brief meeting where any questions on the gate can be asked and progress from the previous week should be noted/seen.

11/29 Meet at 3:30 pm in Capen: This meeting will start with the project manager finishing and publishing the gate onto the wiki page. As in previous weeks, the design team will then individually check as well as edit the gate. After this is completed, the team will begin to finalize the entire project of the Nerf N-Strike Longstrike CS-6 and begin to work on the presentation. Each member will have a section to do for the following week.

11/30 Gate 4 is due by 5pm

12/06 Meet at 3:30 pm in Capen: For this meeting, the project manager will first finalize the entire Nerf N-Strike Longstrike CS-6 project as well as the presentation for it. From here the design team will review both and one team member will be picked to give the oral presentation the following week. That member will then run through the presentation a few times with the remaining members giving advice.

12/13 or 12/14 TBD in Capen: The time and date for this meeting is to be determined depending on each design member’s exam schedule. At this meeting though the oral presenter will present to the rest of the group and will take criticism from them in order to improve for the final. From here all that is left is to give the final oral presentation and fill out group assessment forms.

12/14 Gate 5 is due by 5pm

Potential Group Conflict

The one last thing that the design team needs in order to ensure a completed and time-managed project of the Nerf N-Strike Longstrike CS-6, is a plan of action if there is ever a group conflict. This plan is simply to be open, verbal, honest, and respective of another. Compromises will always be made and then written down as well as signed by each team member. If the issue is ever too great to be dealt with among the group member’s themselves, a third party observer will be contracted to help resolve the issue. Each team member will also have everyone else’s contact information so that they can always be in touch with another and everyone will always be willing to help one another. With all of this planned, the design team knows that they will complete on a timely basis and to the absolute best of their ability the reverse engineered Nerf N-Strike Longstrike CS-6 project.

Product Archaeology: Preparation and Initial Assessment

For this stage of the product an initial analysis must be made for the Nerf Longstrike CS-6. No dissection was performed on the product throughout this process. The gun was taken from the box it was shipped in and assembled so that Group 5 could become familiar with the product and how it is used normally. Information was then collected to prepare for the dissection process soon to come.

Development Profile

Product History:

The Nerf Longstrike CS-6 is a part of the N-Strike series of Nerf weapons created by the company Hasbro. Nerf was originally a toy brand created by Parker Brothers; however, it is currently owned by Hasbro [2]. The history of the Nerf gun can be traced back to the late 1960s when a Nerf footballs were used using the foam material now used in today’s Nerf bullets. Frisbees were then created, followed by the basketball, but today Nerf is most commonly known by teens for its toy guns that Hasbro calls “blasters.” The first foam ball blaster was created in 1969 by Reyn Guyer. Soon to follow, in 1989, Nerf created its very first blaster that used a simple air pump action to shoot a foam ball from a plastic tube. Next came the variant design of the dart blaster in 1992. Since then, Nerf has continued to enhance and create new blasters to appeal to the new generations that use them [1]. Appealing to the age range of boys between 6 and 16, Nerf altered the blasters to shoot farther and hold more ammunition. The darts have developed from felt tipped, to suction tipped, to rubber tipped over the years. Today, in order to design a new blaster, around “fifteen Hasbro designers, engineers, marketers, product development specialists, model markers, model painters, and computer aided design experts” are needed. [1] The Nerf Longstrike CS-6 was released to the public during the spring 2010 and is currently the longest Nerf blaster yet, at 3 feet long. This Nerf blaster is lighter, sleeker, and cheaper than the previous sniper weapon called the Nerf Longshot [2]. The Nerf Longstrike CS-6, along with the many other Nerf weapons sold today, brought in $40 million of revenue in 2011 and with new blasters being designed today, the brand will continue to expand and develop [1].

Economic and Global Concerns:

The Nerf Longstrike was available for sale in the spring of 2010 [2]. The Nerf gun is designed to resemble a real sniper; however, it does not use the same coloring as actual weapons. Nerf guns use bright neon colors so that it can be easily seen that it is not a real weapon, but a toy that will not harm anyone. A U.S. law was put into place in May of 1989 stating that "no person shall manufacture, enter into commerce, ship, transport, or receive any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm" [10]. By easily displaying that the Nerf blaster is a toy people are at ease and children are allowed to shoot what they want without harming objects or people around them. Although the global factors play an important role in the design of the Nerf blaster, an economic design factor was also considered when packaging the Nerf Longstrike CS-6. The blaster was broken down into 7 components so that it could easily fit into a box. When these 7 components are assembled, the blaster is 3 feet long. Creating a box to hold a 3 foot long weapon would have cost more. The economy at this time is still suffering from job losses; therefore, cheaper products are more appealing to the public and will produce greater revenue for Hasbro.

Sales, Delivery and Support:

The Nerf Longstrike CS-6 is sold all across the United States. Nerf weapons can be found in local Target, Wal-Mart, and Toys R’ Us stores, and can also be found online on amazon.com or ebay. However, Nerf guns, including the Longstrike, are not only distributed and sold in the U.S. Distributers for the Hasbro Company can be found across the globe. The Nerf line is sold in Japan by Tamar Tomy, as well as in England, Australia, and New Zealand by the international Hasbro companies [1]. The Longstrike can be easily sold due to the fact that is does not require any batteries; thus, creating a longer life cycle for the toy and appealing to consumers. Another factor that aids in the sale of this toy is the fact that the accessories are interchangeable amongst all the N-Strike Series weapons. This allows for the consumer to feel as if they are getting their money’s worth with the different combinations of accessories that can be used on each blaster.

Intended Impact on Consumer and Society:

Although the Longstrike can be sold across the world to various populations, its design and advertisement is aimed towards boys between the ages of 6 to 16 years old. The products intended use is to be a toy weapon, as well as give the user the thrill of shooting a gun. The Longstrike has similar features to an actual sniper weapon, such as the use of a flip-up sight to accurately aim at the target and the use of bullet clips to allow for multiple bullets to be fired back to back without delay. The more realistic the motions the happier the consumer is. The bigger the gun and the more bullets it holds, the more attractive consumers are to the product. Therefore, the Nerf Longstrike CS-6 creates a positive impact on the consumer and society.

Usage Profile

The purpose of the Nerf Longstrike CS-6 is to be a form of entertainment for children and adults ages six and up [3]. It is a toy that is common in today’s society, along with the other blasters created and sold by Nerf. Whether the blaster is used in a “Nerf battle” amongst other Nerf blaster users or simply used to fire a dart at things, the Nerf Longstrike CS-6 is a safe and fun means of entertainment. The gun’s similarity to a real sniper weapon gives children the satisfaction of shooting things, but without the risk of harming others. With the accessories included with the Longstrike, like the Flip-Up Sight, the Quick-Reload Clip and the foam darts, users can create a combination of different toy weapons with other Nerf blasters, making the ultimate battle machine.

Intended Use

The Nerf Longstrike CS-6 is a product created by the company Hasbro [3]. This product is a toy-dart gun intended for children, ages six and up, to use and have fun. The Longstrike CS-6 was created with the intention of being Nerf’s longest shooting toy-dart gun so far [4]. The blaster has the capability of being used either indoors or outdoors. By using foam darts as bullets, all home appliances and furniture are safe from destruction, allowing children to use the toy inside. The Longstrike resembles a sniper weapon and was designed to give the user the feeling of shooting a real gun. With realistic features like the cocking bolt and reload clip, users can prepare the gun for fire and reload quickly with a new round of ammunition.

Recreational Use

The Nerf Longstrike CS-6 was designed for recreational use by the consumer. Its safety features, such as the use of foam darts and plastic material, allow it to be used safely in the home. The product shoots darts up to a full 35 feet with unprecedented accuracy giving children the realistic feel of shooting a real weapon [5]. The Nerf blaster can be used in child-like “battles,” creating more fun and entertainment to the users of Nerf products.

Performance

The Longstrike has many different features that improve the performance of the sniper. For example, the barrel of the Longstrike CS-6 is detachable achieving the jobs of both long distance and close range shooting. The product came with only one Quick-Reload Clip; however, two more Quick-Reload Clips may be purchased separately and stored in the Shoulder Stock allowing the user to reload quickly and efficiently. Another enhanced performance of the blaster is the use of the Flip-Up Sight, which allows the user to focus in on the target and create a more accurate shot.

Energy Profile

For the Nerf N-Strike Longstrike CS-6, the energy associated with the dart’s functioning is kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, and potential energy from the air chambers. This energy is imported into the system as the Nerf gun is raised, the cocking bolt is pulled, and the trigger is pressed. A detailed description of the energy process and how the different types are transformed as well as modified are shown below and in the Energy Profile.

Energy Profile: This picture shows the path the dart takes before, during, and after the launch. This diagram can then be used to understand the energy transfer that is taking place.

The numbers in the Energy Profile correspond to the numbers underneath which describe the kinetic and potential energies at each points [9].

The Nerf N-Strike Longstrike CS-6 is laying on the ground without any darts in it. The dart is instead lying on the ground next to it. The kinetic energy is zero and the total potential energy is zero too for the dart.

The Nerf N-Strike Longstrike CS-6 is raised some distance off the ground, the dart is inserted, and the cocking bolt is pulled back. At this point for the dart, the kinetic energy is still zero, the potential energy due to gravity increases proportionally with the height, and, when the Cocking Bolt is pulled, the potential energy from the air chambers increases.

Once the dart is released and it starts traveling down the Barrel Extension, the energies of the dart change. Kinetic energy increases as the velocity of the dart increases, the gravitational potential energy is zero due to the constant height from the ground, and the potential energy from the air chambers decreases.

Right as the dart is released from the Barrel Extension, the dart’s kinetic energy is still increasing due to the velocity increasing, the gravitational potential energy starts to decrease proportionally as the height of the dart decreases, and the potential energy from the air chambers equals zero.

As the dart continues to accelerate downwards, its kinetic energy increases, its gravitational potential energy decreases proportional with the height, and the potential energy from the air chambers equals zero still.

Right here, right before the dart hits the ground, its kinetic energy is at its maximum, gravitational potential energy is almost zero, and the potential energy from the air chambers is zero.

The dart has hit the ground, and both kinetic and total potential energy of the dart equals zero. [Law of conservation of energy.]

Complexity Profile

Components

List of Components for Nerf Longstrike CS-6: Group 5 divided the Nerf Longstrike CS-6 into six main components. The name of the component as well as the quantity of the component are listed in List of Components for Nerf Longstrike CS-6.

List of Components for Nerf Longstrike CS-6: After thorough analysis, Group 5 divided the Nerf gun into 6 main components.

Visual of Components Listed: The Nerf Longstrike CS-6 can be broken down into six main components. The following photo shows these six components using the corresponding numbers and components found in the List of Components for the Nerf Longstrike CS-6.

Visual of Components: The numbers 1 through 6 illustrated in the photo above, correspond to the numbers and components listed in the List of Components for Nerf Longstrike.

Complexity of Components

Based on the initial analysis of the Nerf Longstrike CS-6, each component appears to be relatively simple. The Barrel Extension, Main Base, Shoulder Stock, Quick-Reload Clip, and Flip-Up Sight are all made of the same plastic material. The Cocking Bolt is also made of plastic; however, from the original assembly of the gun it was documented that there is a medal rod connecting the two plastic nobs. Also, the base component is assumed to be more complex underneath the outer shell of plastic protecting the inside. Underneath this covering, is where the more complex interactions of the system will be found. The Main Base, Barrel Extension, Shoulder Stock, and Quick-Reload Clip are all held together by screws. Removing these from each component will be simple. Overall, each individual component shows simplicity and will cause no trouble in the first stage of the disassembly process.

Complexity of Component Interactions

Although the individual components appear to be simple, the interactions between certain components are more complex. More complex interactions include the spring and air pump system that has been assumed to be located underneath the plastic covering of the Main Base. From external analysis, the Trigger appears to have a complex interaction with the sub-components that are underneath the plastic covering. When the Trigger is pressed the bullet is released from its cocked position, producing a more complex interaction. Also, the process of the removal of the foam dart from the Quick-Reload Clip and into the Main Base is complex in theory. However, it is easy to connect and disconnect the Barrel Extension. The Barrel Extension must simply be twisted into place creating a simple interaction between the base and the barrel. The simple covering of the Main Base protects the more complex firing mechanism inside.

Materials Profile

Exterior

The exterior of the Nerf gun is comprised of several different components. At the first look there are 6 different pieces in the box, the base of the gun, the stock, the sight, the extended barrel, the cocking pin, the clip, and the bullets of the gun. The six components listed are either made of hard or soft plastic. The product is a children’s toy; therefore, the material used must be safe and not cause harm to young children. Plastic is also easy to produce and inexpensive, allowing for more Nerf guns to be made at a lower price. The plastic pieces are either colored blue or orange and have a digital camouflage design, making the Nerf gun look more like an actual military piece of equipment. The final component, the darts, are made of foam so when they hit someone, or something, nothing is harmed. There are also some visible pieces of steel with the screws in some parts holding the Nerf Longstrike CS-6 together. The plastic and steel materials found during the initial analysis of the Nerf gun are illustrated in the Plastic and Steel photo below.

Plastic and Steel: The photo of the cocking bolt illustrates plastic materials, outlined in white, and steel materials, outlined in red, Group 5 discovered during the initial analysis of the Nerf gun.

Interior

After thoroughly analyzing the exterior of the Nerf gun and the materials used, Group 5 came to a conclusion of the materials expected to be found on the interior of the gun. More plastic is expected to be found inside the Nerf gun because it is the base material of the toy. However, Group 5 also expects to find steel parts, such as screws, inside the gun which help keep the internal components in the proper alignment and aid in the firing of the mechanism. After multiple practice tests of firing the Nerf gun, Group 5 also came to the conclusion that a spring system is aiding in the release of the foam dart from the gun; therefore, a spring made of steel is expected to be found in the interior of the gun.

User Interaction Profile

Through careful analysis and research, Group 5 came up with the conclusion that the Nerf Longstrike CS-6 has similar interfaces to that of a real sniper weapon. The Flip-Up Sight has a similar intended use to that of a scope on a sniper, allowing the shooter to aim at the intended target. The Longstrike CS-6 also has a Cocking Bolt, which is pulled backward and then forward, to prepare the foam dart to be shot. The Quick-Reload Clip and Barrel Extension are also similar to the components on a real sniper.

In order to fire the weapon, the user has to insert a maximum of six darts into the Quick-Reload Clip, load the Quick-Reload Clip into the gun, cock the gun backwards and then forwards, and pull the Trigger to fire a dart. On the Quick-Reload Clip, a picture of the dart is shown along with an arrow, illustrating to the user the correct direction in which the darts should be inserted. Also, above the Cocking Bolt, a small picture is shown illustrating the four necessary steps to fire the weapon. The first picture illustrates pulling the Cocking Bolt back towards the user, then loading the Quick-Reload Clip, pushing the Cocking Bolt back to its original position and pressing the Trigger. Other intuitive interfaces include the simple removal of the Barrel Extension by unclipping it from the gun along with attaching the scope by sliding it into place. These interfaces are very intuitive allowing children to easily play with the toy by sliding the cocking bolt, aiming, and shooting the desired target [2].

There is little to no regular maintenance required for the Nerf Longstrike CS-6. The maximum maintenance required would be the purchase of new darts after abusive or rough usage [2].

Small diagram located next to cocking bolt illustrates the four easy steps to prepare and fire the blaster.

Four Steps to Fire Weapon: A small illustration is found on the blaster, showing pictures of the step by step procedure to fire the weapon.

Product Alternative Profile

It seems like in society today there is always a wide selection of items that serve the same purpose. The Nerf gun is one of these items because although it is a well sold toy there are also alternatives that consumers can choose from. Three of these different choices are BB Guns, Air Soft Guns, and Kid Army Guns. Each of these has different advantages and disadvantages for the consumers.

BB Gun

Advantages

The firing range of the gun is 291 yds. This is much farther than Longstrike’s 11.7 yard firing range. (stated on the box of the Nerf blaster) [8]

The gun feels more life-like with a weight of 3.7 lbs [8].

The BB gun has an actual sight, instead of the Longstrike’s plastic flip-up sight.

Disadvantages

It is very unsafe for children to play with. BBs can be harmful to people if hit and are destructive to the surrounding objects.

The bullet itself is a heavier weight and can cause more damage.

The firing velocity of the bullet is very high compared to the Nerf, thus making the gun more dangerous than the Nerf blaster [8].

A BB gun is more expensive than the Nerf gun [8].

Air Soft

Advantages

An air soft gun is able to hold and fire more ammunition and at a faster velocity than the Nerf gun [7].

Air soft guns feel more like a real gun than the light weight Nerf gun.

They have a longer shooting range than the Nerf blaster, with a distance of 100 feet and greater [7].

Disadvantages

The pellets fired from an air soft gun can hurt if they hit open skin.

An air soft gun is more expensive than the Longstrike, costing around $65 [7].

The pellets can break car door windows or house windows. Therefore, airsoft guns cannot be used indoors.

Looks like a real gun which could scare some people, whereas the Nerf gun looks like a toy gun and is easily differentiated between a real gun and a toy.